What motivates you when things get tough? Feel free to be detailed and explain why.
When things get tough, I draw motivation from a few key sources that have been constant throughout my career. First and foremost is my profound sense of purpose and responsibility. I’ve been blessed with opportunities in my life, and I feel a deep responsibility to make the most of them to help others. This isn’t just a platitude – it’s something I genuinely believe. Whether I’m investing in businesses that create jobs or supporting causes that combat antisemitism, I’m driven by the knowledge that there’s important work to be done.
My family is another invaluable motivating factor. Every day, I wake up thinking about my wife Robin and our three children, and it inspires me to bear down and create opportunities. There’s nothing more powerful than knowing your work contributes to a legacy that benefits those you love most.
I also find strength in historical examples of perseverance. I often think about Winston Churchill, a personal hero of mine, and the adversity he faced while leading Britain during World War II. Churchill once said, “The price of greatness is responsibility.” That quote resonates deeply with me, especially when challenges seem insurmountable. If Churchill could stand firm against such existential threats, surely, I can push through whatever business or personal challenges I’m facing.
Tell us 3 surprisingly easy and 3 surprisingly difficult things about your business.
Surprisingly Easy:
1. Finding purpose in the work. Since redirecting my business focus toward security and defense technology after 9/11, I’ve never had to question whether the work matters. When you’re developing technologies that protect communities and save lives, your mission is crystal clear.
2. Identifying talent. In the defense and security sectors, passionate people tend to gravitate toward meaningful work. I’ve found that when you’re building something with real-world impact, attracting dedicated and talented individuals who share your vision happens organically.
3. Maintaining conviction. Once you’ve identified a true need in security or defense technology, staying committed to addressing it doesn’t require much internal debate. The stakes are simply too high to waver on your commitment to excellence.
Surprisingly Difficult:
1. Balancing innovation with practical implementation. In defense technology, the most innovative solution isn’t always the most effective one. Finding the sweet spot between pushing technological boundaries and ensuring practical, day-to-day usability requires constant calibration and sometimes means making tough choices.
2. Navigating regulatory landscapes. The defense sector involves complex compliance requirements that can dramatically impact how you design and deploy solutions. This regulatory environment is essential but challenging to navigate efficiently.
3. Patience with procurement cycles. While private companies can develop solutions quickly, the timeframes for implementation, especially with government partners, can be frustratingly long. Learning to maintain momentum despite these extended timelines has been one of the most challenging aspects of working in this sector.
What are the 3 things you like best about your work and why?
1. Meaningful impact on security and safety. What I find most fulfilling about my work is knowing that the technologies we develop have real-world implications for keeping people safe. When I see our open-source intelligence platforms helping identify threats or our AI-based analysis tools assisting law enforcement, it’s deeply satisfying to know we’re contributing to safer communities. This isn’t abstract – it’s about protecting real people from real dangers.
2. The intersection of cutting-edge technology and practical solutions. I love that my work sits at the crossroads of technological innovation and real-world application. There’s something incredibly rewarding about taking emerging technologies like AI and adapting them to solve tangible security challenges. It’s not just about the technology itself but about how we can harness it to address critical needs.
3. Building and mentoring high-performing teams. Over my four-decade career, I’ve had the privilege of assembling teams across more than 160 companies. What I enjoy most is bringing together diverse expertise – technical innovators alongside operational experts with field experience. Watching these teams collaborate to develop solutions that neither could create alone is extraordinarily rewarding. I particularly value mentoring young people who are finding their way in these fields, sharing what I’ve learned while benefiting from their fresh perspectives.
What are your greatest 3 skills and how have they helped you succeed?
1. Resilience and perseverance. Throughout my career, like any entrepreneur, I’ve encountered challenges and setbacks. I’ve developed the ability to view obstacles as opportunities to grow and evolve. This mindset has been essential to turning challenges into momentum. Success simply doesn’t come without obstacles, and my ability to push through difficulties, adapt quickly, and maintain focus on the mission has been fundamental to whatever success I’ve achieved.
2. Strategic vision balanced with tactical flexibility. I’ve always been able to maintain a clear strategic vision while remaining tactically flexible. In the defense and security sectors, this balance is crucial – you need to keep sight of your long-term goals while adapting to rapidly evolving threats and technologies. This skill has allowed me to pivot when necessary, without losing direction, particularly after 9/11 when I redirected my business focus toward security and defense technology.
3. Talent recognition and team building. One of my most valuable skills has been identifying the right people and assembling teams where diverse talents complement each other. I’ve learned that surrounding yourself with people who are smarter than you in their specific domains is essential. For example, when building defense technology companies, I’ve brought together technical innovators with people who have deep operational experience in the field. This combination has consistently led to more effective, practical solutions than either group could develop independently.
Tell us about a time where you saw a surprising outcome that you did not expect.
Early in my career, I once showed up to an investor pitch with the wrong presentation. It was for a completely unrelated project! Instead of panicking, I explained what had happened and shared my vision for the investment from memory. Surprisingly, the investors appreciated my candor and passion, and we ended up striking a deal.
The lesson was simple: preparation is critical, but flexibility and authenticity can save the day. If you truly believe in what you’re building, your conviction will shine through—even when things don’t go according to plan. This unexpected outcome taught me that sometimes our most compelling moments come when we’re forced to abandon our carefully scripted plans and speak directly from our core beliefs and knowledge.
What is the biggest challenge you face each day and how do you handle it?
The biggest challenge I face daily is balancing the demands of running multiple businesses while maintaining strategic focus on long-term objectives. With investments across various companies in the defense, security, and technology sectors, it’s easy to get pulled into tactical problems and day-to-day operations. This can sometimes distract from the broader vision and strategic direction that ultimately drives sustainable success.
I handle this challenge through three practical approaches. First, I’ve learned the art of effective delegation. This wasn’t always easy for me—like many driven entrepreneurs, I initially wanted to control everything. But I’ve built teams I trust and empowered them to handle operational matters while keeping me informed on critical issues.
Second, I maintain strict discipline with my time. I carefully structure my day to ensure I have dedicated periods for strategic thinking and planning, protected from the constant flow of urgent but less important matters. This often means starting my day earlier than most to have quiet time for reflection.
Third, I constantly reconnect with my core purpose. When I feel overwhelmed by competing priorities, I remind myself why I started focusing on security and defense technology after 9/11—to protect the United States and its allies. This clarity of purpose helps me filter decisions and allocate resources in alignment with what truly matters.
What do you value most and why?
I value responsibility most deeply. This might seem like an unusual answer—many people might say family, integrity, or success—and while I certainly cherish those things, I believe that a profound sense of responsibility undergirds everything meaningful in life.
When we accept responsibility—for our families, our communities, our nation, and even for the broader world—we acknowledge that our actions matter and that we have obligations beyond our own comfort and success.
After 9/11, this value led me to redirect my business focus toward security and defense technology. I felt a responsibility to dedicate my skills and resources to protecting both the United States and its allies. This wasn’t just a business pivot—it was an acceptance of responsibility toward a larger purpose.
I value responsibility because it demands action rather than mere sentiment. It’s not enough to feel concerned about problems like antisemitism or threats to public safety; responsibility compels us to do something about them. This value has shaped both my business decisions and my philanthropy, pushing me to contribute meaningfully rather than simply wishing things were better.
What achievement are you the proudest of and why?
While I’ve had various professional accomplishments throughout my career, I’m most proud of the work I’ve done to protect and support Jewish communities and the State of Israel, particularly in times of crisis. In 2003, during the Second Intifada when Israel faced devastating suicide bombings and a dramatic reduction in foreign investment, I founded Markstone Capital Partners, an $800 million fund that invested almost entirely in non-high-tech companies in Israel.
Many people couldn’t understand why I would invest in Israel during such a tumultuous time. But I believed deeply in Israel’s economy and its resilience. It was a moment when conviction and perseverance were tested, and staying the course despite the skepticism ultimately made a real difference in supporting Israel’s economy during a critical period.
I’m proud of this achievement because it represented more than just a financial investment—it was a statement of solidarity and support when it was most needed. It combined my business acumen with my deeply held values and demonstrated that principled investment can create both economic value and social impact. This approach of aligning business decisions with core values has guided my career ever since, including my current focus on defense and security technology and my philanthropic efforts to combat antisemitism worldwide.
What is your favorite book and why?
I am inspired everyday by the strength, leadership and wisdom of Winston Churchill. One of my favorite Churchill quotes is: “Success is the ability to go from failure to failure without losing your enthusiasm.” I think it captures the essence of resilience. Real success isn’t about avoiding failure—it’s about staying motivated and committed even when things go wrong. That mindset is what separates people who persevere from those who give up.
This is also why my probably favorite book is Martin Gilbert’s extraordinary biography of Winston Churchill. It’s an eight-volume set with each volume covering an era of his life in chronological order! The volumes were released beginning in 1966 and ending in 1988. Luckily, Mr. Gilbert summarized the eight-volume set into one book with new information. It was released in 1991. It can be found on Amazon under the title, Churchill: A Life.
If you do charity or volunteer work, what is it and why do you do it?
My philanthropic work focuses on several key areas that reflect my core values and concerns. Following the October 7th attacks in Israel, my wife Robin and I intensified our support for organizations dedicated to fighting antisemitism and supporting Israel, including Friends of the IDF, Magen David Adom, The Counter Extremism Project, and the Jewish Agency. We’ve also supported legal efforts aimed at reducing antisemitism on U.S. college campuses and elsewhere.
I’m particularly proud to serve as co-chair of the Fund to End Antisemitism, Extremism, and Hate, which supports ARCHER at House 88. This groundbreaking initiative transforms the former home of Auschwitz Commandant Rudolf Höss into a global research and education center to combat extremism. For me, this project is deeply personal—my wife Robin lost many family members in the Holocaust. We believe that education is our most powerful weapon against hate. ARCHER at House 88 will not just preserve memory but actively work to prevent extremism from taking root in future generations.
In our local community of Boca Raton, we’re significant donors to Boca Regional Hospital, The Cleveland Clinic in Weston, Florida, the Boca West Children’s Foundation, and the Adolph and Rose Levis Jewish Community Center. These institutions do vital work that directly impacts people’s lives in our community.
I do this work because I believe success comes with a responsibility to give back—the ethos championed by philanthropists like Andrew Carnegie. When you’ve been fortunate enough to achieve success, you have an obligation to use your resources to make a positive difference in the world. This isn’t just about writing checks; it’s about thoughtfully directing resources to address serious problems and support communities in need.
Who has been your biggest mentor in life (personal or professional) and how have they helped you?
I’m especially grateful for my wife, Robin. She has always been my sounding board, my partner in every sense, and a steady source of wisdom. Early in my career, when I faced tough decisions, she reminded me to trust my instincts and keep going. Her strength and insight have been invaluable, not only in business but in all aspects of my life. I can’t thank her enough.
Robin’s background in law and her experience as a senior executive at 20th Century Fox has given her a unique perspective that complements my own. She brings analytical rigor and creative thinking to our discussions, helping me see challenges from different angles. More importantly, she’s been unwavering in her support through both successes and setbacks, providing the emotional foundation that makes risk-taking possible.
What I admire most about Robin is her ability to balance pragmatism with compassion. She understands the realities of business while never losing sight of the human impact of decisions. This perspective has influenced how I approach both my businesses and philanthropy, reminding me that success isn’t just measured in financial terms but in the difference we make in people’s lives.
Just for fun, what is your favorite food?
Steak and potatoes. It’s simple but very satisfying.